Students and staff give blood and get health checks on RSU Health Day
On Thursday, 30 November, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) organised its traditional Health Day for the tenth time. Staff and students had the opportunity to give blood and get their health tested by students representing different academic interest groups.
69 students and employees gave blood (up from 54 last year), of which 49 were first-time donors (an increase from last year’s 21). The State Blood Donor Centre was pleased with the increase in the number of first-time donors as it ensures continuity of the movement.
A total of 31 litres of blood were donated (compared to 24.3 litres last year). This amount is enough to save 207 people, as one donation can help to save the lives of three people.
This year, the most committed blood donors were students, especially international students from Germany. ‘There is a great need of blood to save victims of accidents, for example. If I can give blood, why would I not do it?’ says Charlotte Letzel, a dental student from Germany. ‘Giving blood is popular in my home country and I have done it several times.’
Several second-year pharmacy students also came to give blood. ‘My groupmates asked me to join and that's why I came here – we are braver together! It was my first time and I think I will do it again,; says student Laura Elizabete Sirsniņa.
‘I saw on the State Blood Donor Centre's website that there was a shortage of group 0 blood, so I decided to give mine,’ Krista Saulīte, a first-year nursing student, says about her decision to become a donor.
‘I know that there is often a shortage of blood in medical facilities in Latvia. I believe it is only right to help the country where I live and study. I am a medical student planning to specialise in resuscitation and I understand how important it is to donate blood,’ says Theresa Gsöllpointner, a student from Austria (pictured).
Student-led interest groups always actively participate in RSU Health Day and this year they were particularly well represented. Students from scientific groups in infectology, nutrition, endocrinology and metabolic diseases, psychiatry, medical simulation, physiology, ophthalmology, pharmacology, dermatovenerology, haematology, forensic medicine, anaesthesiology, and resuscitation offered the following health tests –dermatoscopy examinations, vision checks, HIV tests, blood pressure and blood sugar tests, body mass index, and taught first aid. Participants were especially interested in the activities offered by the nutrition group – students offered visitors to determine the percentage of muscle, fat, water and bone in their bodies by carrying out a bioimpedance analysis.
RSU Health Day is traditionally held in November and dates back to 2016. The event aims to encourage staff and students to take care of their health and get involved in being a blood donor.
Thank you to the RSU Student Union for their support in organising RSU Health Day!
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